Electric automatic operating apparatus for mechanical speed changing devices, particularly for motor cars



1953 A. FILOCAMO 2 7,

. ELECTRIC AUTOMATIC OPERATING APPARATUS FOR MECHANICAL SPEED CHANGING DEVICES, PARTICULARLY FOR MOTOR CARS Filed May 15, 1951 INVENTOR. A O F/LocAmo Mira Patented Aug. 4, 1953 ELECTRIC AUTOMATIC OPERATING APPA- RATUS FOR MECHANICAL SPEED CHANG- IN G DEVICES, PARTICULARLY FOR MOTOR CARS Aldo Filocamo, Milan, Italy Application May' 15 1951, Serial No. 226,466 In Italy November 9, 1950 12 Claims. (01. 74365) The present invention relates to electrical automatic apparatus for operating speed'changing devices, particularly used for motor cars.

The invention involves a change speed device comprising a plurality of electromagnetic'means for operatingvarlous gears in a gearbox,and at least one electromagnetic member actuated by a voltage, and whose core is 'displaced'according to the height of .said tension supplied by a generator driven by the transmissionso asto actuate a movable contact which closes-successively, and in a certain order, the circuits of said electromagnetic operating members according to the speed attained by the vehicle.

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying schematic drawing, which is given only as an example of the in-' vention without any restrictive intention of the application of the same. I

In the drawing: 1

Fig. 1 shows in a longitudinal section one'form in accordance with construction of-the invention; l

Fig. 2 shows a detail of the electromag'netically operated movable contact.

With reference to said figures, A indicates the box containing the movable members of the speed changing mechanism, which, inthe example illustrated, comprises a shaft 2 which is driven by motor E of the vehicle, and driving through gear couple 4, the secondary 'shaft 6. Drive or primary shaft 8 is arranged coaxial with shaft 2. To shaft 8 is fastened the four gears l0, l2, l4 and I6 intended to cooperate with the corresponding gears l6, l2, l4, and I6 which are loose on secondary shaft 6.

Gear couples l2, l2, I4, 14', and 16; I6 represent respectively the 1st, 2nd and 3rd speed. The 4th speed and/or direct drive is obtained by coupling shafts 2 and 8 by torsional toothed coupling [8. To the end of torsionally binding one or the other of gears l, l2,- I4 and I6 to shaft 6 for obtaining the different ratios of transmission, each of said gears is provided with a front set of "teeth 26 which cooperate-with a corresponding toothed sleeve 22, torsionally bound to shaft 6 but axially. movable onthe latter. Axial sliding of sleeves 22 and of the movable part of torsional coupling l 8-of the direct drive is obtained through electromagnets 24;, 26, 28, 30, 32 whose cores determine the oscillation of a forked lever 36 in contrast with spring return means 34. 2

Closing of the circuit for the automatic in'ser-' tion of the elect o aenets (F a, .2. "is-obtained 2 through a movable timing contact 38 which contacts, two at a time, four couples of stationary contacts 40, 42; 44, 46 located onto a sectorC made of electrical insulating material.

Movable contact 38 is carried by a rotatable oscillating arm 48 on shaft 58, to which is rigidly connected a second arm 52 and a toothed pinion 54. The latter cooperates with a rack 56 actuated by an electromagnet 58 fed by generator '60 which in turn is operatively connected to primary shaft 8. Arm 52 has two drag catches 62 and 64 arranged laterally to arm 48. The two'arms are connected by means of a spring means 66.

Right hand contacts (Fig. 1) of the couples carried by sector 0 are electrically connected through a conductor 68 to the direct current generator 10 driven by motor B of the vehicle.

Left hand stationary contacts are connected in the circuits as follows:

Conductor 12 connects 40 with the movable con tact of a deviator l4 7 Conductor 16 connects 42 to electromagnet 28 Conductor 18 connects 44 to electromagnet 30 Conductor connects 46 to electromagnet 32 The two stationary contacts of the deviator are connected one (82) toelectromagnet 24 and the other (84) to electromagnet 26. The four positions of contact of arm 48 are determinedby as many spring balls 86 located in body C and intended to collaborate with a notch-in arm 48.

The mechanism works as follows: At restthe organs are in the position illustrated. For starting a head deviator I4 is manually displaced to contact 82--closing the circuit in which electromagnet 26 is connected. The latter is fed by generator, and determines the torsional engagement of gear [2' with shaft 6by causing arm 36 to oscillate, thus inserting the first speed. For, the reverse speed, deviator I4 is placed on contact 84 by sending the current to electromagnet 24 Which acts upon reverse gears l0.

.When moving generator 66 generates current, the latter feeding electromagnet 58 which resultsin the attraction of core 9i (Fig. 2) and tends to shift axially rack 56 according to arrow X. Arm 52 then rotates according to arrow Y charging. spring 66, until finger 62, acting on arm 48, frees it from the engagement of spring charged positioning ball 86. Spring 66,'when unbiased, produces a quick displacement of arm 48 over contacts 42' which feeds electromagnet 28 thus engaging second speed. At the same time-the opening ofcircuit of electromagnet 26 brings about the disengagement, by means of opposing spring 3-2, of the first speed.

During acceleration of the vehicle the current generated by dynamo 68 increases and therefore increases the extent of the displacement of rack 66 in opposition to the return spring means 83 (that presses onto the rack in a direction opposed to arrow X).

Then, immediately, and automatically there;

after, the higher speeds are engaged iiird and direct drive). The speed range is suitably chosen in proportion to the speed of the vehicle" by modifying the setting of opposing spring 88. An electric setting means may be used which varies the electrical resistance of the feed. cire cuit of electromagnet 53 by inserting a variaple resistor 99, and consequently varying the attraer, tive force of electromagnet 58 at the same speed of generator Si The insertion of variable resistance 90 (under normal circumstances not inserted) produces a lowering of the tension to feed electromagnetjfi, andis intended to prevent the leap to a higher speed in cases of emergency (win ding, steep descents) thus obtaining motor braking.

v The same sequence of operations isevidently obtained in an opposite sense when the vehicle slows down.

I claim: .1. ,A change speed device, comprising incombination, a change speed gear including aplurality of gears and a shaft carrying one ,wheelof each of said gears; a plurality of electromagnetic means actuating, respectively, said gears of said change speed gear; an electromagnet having, an armature having a plurality of positions depending on the voltage energizing saidelectromagnet; a D. C. generator driven by said shaft of. said change speed gear and having an output voltage depending on the speed of saidshaft; means for feeding the output voltage of said D. C. generator to said electromagnet so as to energizevthe same by the output voltage of saidDu C. generator; at least one movable contact controlledbysaid armature; and a plurality of stationary contacts ponnected, respectively, to said electromagnetic means actuating said gears of said change speed gear, said movable contact being arrange'd for cooperation with said stationary contacts so as to make contact withthe same one at a time, whereby the output voltage of said D; C gen'erator and thus the position of said armature depend on the speed of said shaft, thereby actuating automatically said gears of said change speed gear according to the speed of said shaft.

2. A change speed device, comprising, in combination, a change speed gear including a plurality of gears and a shaft carrying one wheel or each of said gears; a plurality of electromagnetic means actuating, respectively, said gears of said change speed gear; an electromagnet having an armature having a plurality of positions depending on the voltage energizing said electromagnet'; a D. C. generator driven by said shaft ofsaid change speed gear and having an output voltage depending on the speed of said shaft; means for feeding the output voltage of said D. C. generator to said, electromagnet so as to energize the same by the output voltage of said D. C. generator; an oscillating. arm controlled by said armature; at least one movable contact; resilient means connecting said movable contact with said oscillating arm and a plurality of stationarycontactsconnected, respectively, to said electromagnetic means actuating said gears of said change speed gear, said movable contact being arranged for cooperation with said stationary contacts so as to make contact with the same one at a time, whereby the output voltage of said D. C. generator and thus the position of said armature depend onthe speed of said shaft," thereby actuatirig automatically said gears of said change speed gear according to the speed of said shaft.

A change speed device, comprising, in cornbination,. a change speed gear including a pluralitybf gears and a shaft carrying one wheel of of said gears a plurality of electromagnetic means actuating respectively, said gears of said changespeed gear; an electromagnet having an armature having a plurality of positions dependingpnthe voltage energizing said electromagnet; generator driven by said shaft of said change speed gear and having an output voltage depending on the speed of said shaft; means for feeding the output voltage of said D. C. generator to said ,electromagnet so as to energize the same by the output voltage of said D. C. generator; an oscillatingharml controlled by said armature; at leastrone, movablecontact; resilient means connecting, said movable contact with said oscillating arm; a plurality of stationary contacts connected, resp.ectively, to said electromagnetic means actuatingsaid gears of said change speed gear, said movablacontact being arranged for cooperation withsaid stationary contacts so as to make contactewith the same one at a time; and a plurality of spring-deeded means securing, respectively, said movablecontact in positions for cooperation with said stationary contacts, said spring-loaded means being weakerthan said resilient means so 3-5130 be rendered ineffective when said oscillating arm wh'asa position with respect to said movable contact. stretching said resilient means, whereby the output voltage of said D. C. generator and thus the position of said armature depend on the speedofesaid shaft, thereby actuating automaticallysaid gears of said change speed gear according to the speed of said shaft. v

,4. IA change speed device, comprising, in combination, a change speed gear including a plurality, of gears and, ashaft carrying one wheel of each of said gears; a plurality of electromagnetic means actuating, respectively, said gears of said change speed gear; an electromagnet having an armature having a plurality of positions depending 'onthe voltage energizing said electromagnet; a. D. C. generator driven by said shaft of said change. speed gear and having an output voltage depending on the speed of said shaft; means for feeding the output voltage of said D. C. generator to said electromagnet so as to energize the same by the output voltage of said D. C. generator; an oscillating arm controlled by said armature; at least one r'novable contact arranged for relative motion with play relative to said oscillating arm between a first and a second end position; resilient means connecting said movable contact with said oscillating arm; a plurality of stationarycontacts connected, respectively, to said electromagnetic means actuating said gears of said change speed gear, said movable contact being arranged for cooperation with said stationary contacts 's'o as to make contact with the same one ata time; and a plurality of spring-loaded means securing, respectively, said movable contact in positions 'for cooperation with said stationary contacts, said spring-loaded means being weaker than said resilient means so as to be rendered ineffective when said oscillating arm has one of said positions relative to said movable contact stretching said resilient means, whereby the output voltage of said D. C. generator and thus the position of said armature depend on the speed of said shaft, thereby actuating automatically said gears of said change speed gear according to the speed of said shaft.

5. A change speed device, comprising, in combination, a change speed gear including a plurality of gears and a shaft carrying one wheel of each of said gears; a plurality of electromagnetic means actuating, respectively, said gears of said change speed gear; an electromagnet having an armature having a plurality of positions depending on the voltage energizing said electromagnet; resilient means connected to said armature, said resilient means opposing the action of said electromagnet on said armature; a D. C. generator driven by said shaft of said change speed gear and having an output voltage depending on the speed of said shaft; means for feeding the output voltage of said D. C. generator to said electromagnet so as to energize the same by the output voltage of said D. C. generator; at least one movable contact controlled by said armature; and a plurality of stationary contacts connected, respectively, to said electromagnetic means actuating said gears of said change speed gear, said movable contact being arranged for cooperation with said stationary contacts so as to make contact with the same one at a time,

whereby the output voltage of said D. C. generator and thus the position of said armature depend on the speed of said shaft, thereby actuating automatically said gears of said change speed gear according to the speed of said shaft.

6. A change speed device, comprising, in combination, a change speed gear including a plurality of gears and a shaft carrying one wheel of each of said gears; a plurality of electromagnetic means actuating, respectively, said gears of said change speed gear; an electromagnet having a winding and an armature having a plurality of positions depending on the voltage energizing said electromagnet; a D. C. generator driven by said shaft of said changespeed gear and having an output voltage depending on the speed of said shaft; means for feeding the output voltage of said D. C. generator to said winding of said electromagnet so as to energize the same by the output voltage of said D. C. generator; at least one variable resistor connected in series with said winding of said electromagnet; at least one movable contact controlled by said armature; and a plurality of stationary contacts connected, respectively, to said electromagnetic means actuating said gears of said change speed gear, said movable contact being arranged for cooperation with said stationary contacts so as to make contact with the same one at a time, whereby the output voltage of said D. C. generator and thus the position of said armature depend on the speed of said shaft, thereby actuating automatically said gears of said change speed gear according to the speed of said shaft.

7. A change speed device, comprising, in combination, a change speed gear including a plurality of gears and a shaft carrying one wheel of each of said gears; a plurality of electromagnetic means actuating, respectively, said gears of said change speed gear; an electromagnet having an armature having a plurality of positions depending on the voltage energizing said electromagnet; a D. 0. generator driven by said shaft of said change speed gear and having an output voltage depending on the speed of said shaft; means for feeding the output voltage of said D. C. generator to said electromagnet so as to energize-the: same by the output voltage of said D. C. generator; an oscillating arm; a pinion rigidly connected with said oscillating arm; a rack cooperating with said pinion, said rack being controlled by said armature; at least one movable contact; resilient means connecting said movable contact withrsaid oscillating arm; and a plurality of stationary contacts connected, respectively, to saidelectromagnetic means actuating said gears of said change speed gear, said movable contact being arranged for cooperation with said stationary contacts so as to make contact with the same one at a time, whereby the output voltage of said D. C. generaor and thus the position of said armature depend on the speed of said shaft, thereby actuating automatically said gears of said change speed gear according to the speed of said shaft.

8. A change speed device, comprising in combination, a change speed gear including a plurality of gears for forward drive, a gear for reverse drive, and a shaft carrying one wheel of each of saidgears; a plurality of electromagnetic mean actuating, respectively, said gears of said change speed gear; an electromagnet having an armature having a plurality of positions depending on the voltage energizing said electromagnet; a D. C. generator driven by said shaft of said change speed gear and having anoutp'ut voltage depending on the speed of said shaft; means for feeding the output voltage of said D. C. generator to said electromagnet so as to energize the same by the output voltage of said D. C. generator; at least one movable contact controlled by said armature; a plurality of stationary contacts connected, respectively, tosaid electromagnetic means actuating said gears for forward drive of said change speed gear, said movable contact being arranged for cooperation with said stationary contacts so as to make contact with the same one at a time; and a double-throw switch having a first position and a second position, said doublethrow switch connecting in the first position thereof one of said stationary contacts to one of said gears for forward drive and in the second position thereof said one stationary contact to said gear for reverse drive, whereby the output voltage of said D. C. generator and thus the position of said armature depend on the speed of saidshaft, thereby actuating automatically said gears of said change speed gear according to the speed of said shaft.

9. A self-propelled vehicle, comprising, in combination, a motor; a first D. C. generator driven by said motor; a change speed gear driven by said motor and including aplurality of gears and a shaft carrying one wheel of each of said gears; a plurality of electromagnetic means actuating, respectively, said gears of said change speed gear; means for connecting said electromagnetic means one at a time to said first D. C. generator, said connecting means including first stationary contacts connected to said first D. C. generator and second stationary contacts connected, respectively, .to said electromagnetic means; at least onemovable contact having a plurality of positions connecting, respectively, said first stationary contacts with said second stationary contacts, one at a time; an electromagnet having an armature. having a plurality of positions depending on the voltage energizing said electromagnet, said armature controlling the positions of said movable contact; a second D. C. generator driven by said shaft of said change speed gear and having as output voltage" depending on the speed of said shaft; and for feeding the output voltage 6! said second D; 0. generator to said electrocrashes s6 as to energize the same by the output image er said second- D'. C. generator, whereby the output (if said second D. C. generator and thus the position ofsaid armature depends on the speed 61 said shaft, thereby actuating autouneasily said gears of said change speed gear ac'o idln g to tli Speed Of said shaft.

16 A self-prbpelled vehicle; comprising, in can nation, a motor; a: first D. C, generator seventy said motor; a change speed gear driven by said nio'tor and'iricluding a plurality of gears and s shaft carrying one Wheel of eachof said gears; aplurality of electromagnetic means, actusang, respectively, said gears of said change'speed gearf means for connecting said electromagnetic means one at a tirne to said first D. C. generator, said cdnnecting means including first stationary contacts connected to said first D. C. generator and second stationary contacts connected, respectively. to said electromagnetic means; at least are fno'v'able contact having a plurality of positions connecting, respectively, said first stationan contacts with said second stationary contacts, one at a tifne; an eiectromagaet having an armatare having a plurality of positions depending on the voltage energizing said electi'oinagnet; an oscillating arrn controlled by said armature; resilient means connecting said movable contact with said oscillating arrn so as to control the position of said rhovable contact by said armatiire; a second D; C. generator driven by said shaft of said change speed gear and having an output voltage depehding on the speed of said shaft: and means for feeding the output voltage of said second D.- C. generator to said electroniagii'et so as to energiae the same by the output voltage of said second D. C. generator, whereby the output or said second D, 0. generator and thus the position of said armature depends on the speed of said shaft, thereby actuating autoi'iiatically said gears of said change speed gear accci'ding to the speed of said shaft.

11. A self-propelled vehicle, comprising, in combination, a motor; a first D. C. generator unveil by said motor; a c'liangespeed gear driven by said motor and including a plurality of gears and a shaft carrying one wheel of each of said gears; a plurality of electromagnetic means actusang, respectively, said gears of said change speed gear, each of said electromagnetic means including a first electromagnet having an armature and resilient 'rheans acting upon said armature in opposition to said first electromagnet; couplings actuated, respectively, by said arma tur'es of said first electromagnets for actuating, respectively, said gears of said change speed gear; means for connecting said first electromagnets one at a time to said first D. C. generator, said connecting means including first stationary contacts connected to said first D. C. generator and second stationary contacts connected, respectively, to said first electromagnets; at least one movable contact having a plurality of positions connecting, respectively, said first stationary contacts with said second stationary contacts, one at a time; a second electromagnet having an armature having a plurality of positions depending on the voltage energizing said second electromagnet, said armature controllin the positions of said movable contact;- a second D. C. generator driven by said shaft of said change speed gear and having an output voltage depending on the speed of said shaft; and means for feeding the output voltage of said second D. C. generator to said second electromagnet so as to energize the same by the output voltage of said second D. C. generator, whereby the output of said second D. C. generator and thus the position of said armature of said second electromagnet depends on the speed of said shaft, thereby actuating automatically said gears of said change speed gear according to the speed of said shaft.

12. A self-propelled vehicle, comprising, in combination, a motor; a first D. C. generator driven by said motor; a change speed gear driven by said motor and including a plurality of gears and a shaft carrying one wheel of each of said gears; a plurality of electromagnetic means, actuating, respectively, said gears of said change speedgear, each of said electromagnetic means including a first electromagnet having an armature and resilient means acting upon said armature in opposition to said first electromagnet; cou'piihg's actuated, respectively, by said armatures' of said first electromagnets for actuating, respectively, said gears of said change speed gear; means for connecting said first electroniagnets one at a time to said first D. C. generator, said connecting means including first stationary contacts connected to said first D. C. generator and second stationary contacts connected, respectively, to said first electromagnets; at least one movable contact having a plurality of positions connecting, respectively, said first stationary contacts with said second stationary contacts, one at a time; a second electromagnet having an armature having a plurality of positions depending on the voltage energizing said second electromagnet; an oscillating arm controlled by said armature of said second electromagnet; resilient means connecting said movable contact with said oscillating and so as to control the position of said movable contact by said armature of said second electroniaghet; a second D. C. generator driven by said shaft of said change speed gear and having an output voltage depending on the speed of said shaft; and means for feeding the output voltage of said second D, C. generator to said second electromagnet so as to energize the same by the output voltage of said second D. C. generator, whereby the output of said second D. C. generator and thus the position of said armature of said second electromagnet depends on the speed of said shaft, thereby actuating automatically said gears of said change speed gear according to the speed of said shaft.

AL DO FILOCAMO.

References Cited in the file or this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number v Name Date 1,191,290 Dillon et a1 July 18, 1916 2,235,943 Mylius Mar. 25, 1941 2,256,929 Sugarwater Sept. 23, 1941 2,266,598 Hale Dec. 16, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number v Country Date 54,683 Denmark Aug. 5, 1946 534,340 Germany Sept. 30, 1931 

